Irvin Clark

Irvin Paul (I.P.) Clark, 96, of Lisbon died on Thursday, April 13, 2017, at the Rehabilitation Center of Lisbon. Funeral Mass: 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 19, 2017, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Mount Vernon, by Rev. John R. Flaherty. Visitation: 4-7 p.m. on Tuesday at the church with a parish vigil service beginning at 4 p.m. Burial with military honors: St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery, Lisbon. Arrangements are with Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Mount Vernon. Irvin was born in rural Mount Vernon to Ross and Laura (Whitman) Clark on September 30, 1920, his parents' wedding anniversary. He attended the Rosedale #4 country school and graduated from Lisbon High School in 1937. After working for area farmers, Irvin enlisted in the Navy on August 27, 1942 and served until January 9, 1946. As a member of the Greatest Generation, he participated in the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre of Operations aboard the USS LST460. The LST received the Navy Unit Commendation and earned six battle stars during World War II service. Last year, LST460 celebrated its 34th reunion in Florida. On May 2, 1946, Irvin married Louise Dvorak at St. John's Catholic Church in Lisbon and together they farmed in the Mount Vernon area until they moved to Lisbon in 1983. Irvin and Louise were blessed with 68 years of marriage until her passing on October 3, 2014. Irvin had the love of working and caring for the land. His value of hard work will be long remembered by his family. He enjoyed playing cards with family and friends, watching sports, and attending his grandchildren's activities. Irvin and Louise were most proud of their children's and grandchildren's accomplishments. Irvin was a member of St. John's Catholic Church in Mt. Vernon and a 70 year member of the American Legion, currently Post #109 in Lisbon. A highlight of Irvin's was enjoying an Honor Flight to Washington DC in 2010 accompanied by his son, Bob. Those left to cherish his memory are his three children, Jim (Marge) Clark of Des Moines, Joyce (Steve) Fairley and Bob (Chris) Clark of Lisbon; eight grandchildren, Andrea Clark, M.D. (Phillip Perez, M.D.) of Chevy Chase, Maryland, Adrienne Clough (Jeff Clough, M.D.) of Durham, North Carolina, Mark Fairley and Michael Fairley, both of Urbandale, Kristin (Mark) Riddle of Midland, Michigan, Angie (Kent) Rosenboom of Grimes, Kelly (Scott) Baxa of Solon and Jessica Clark, O.D. (Isaac Harper, friend) of Campbell, California; ten great-grandchildren: Alexander and Nicholas Perez, Julia and William Clough, Grace, Ella and Mary Riddle and Kaitlyn, Olivia and Jillian Rosenboom. Also surviving are sisters, Margaret Reilly and Bonnie Keith; brother, Howard Clark, sister-in-law, Dorothy Mullaley; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Louise; his parents; and his brothers, Jake, Wayne and Eugene Clark. Irvin was a wonderful husband, son, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend whose memory will be cherished by all who knew and loved him. The family extends their deepest appreciation to the staff of Hospice of Mercy and the Rehabilitation Center of Lisbon for their compassionate care of Irvin. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Irvin's name.